Treetop Courses and Ziplines (PAT)

Goals

Levels of Training

Ziplining: Description of Levels of Training

• a) Zipline operator (level 1-T)

  An operator is an individual working in a stationary elevated position (more than 3 metres above the ground) who equips, sets up and takes down individuals on a zipline. This training is unique to each ziplining site due to the wide variety of installations and braking systems.

  Prerequisites, duration and validity of training

  • Prior training: None
  • Minimum age: 16 years old
  • Duration of training: 8 hours
  • Valid for: 1 year

  Goals

  By the end of training, operators will have achieved the following goals:

  • Know and understand the risks inherent to this outdoor activity and to work situations.
  • Know all the terms specific to their work environment.
  • Know the various pieces of personal protective equipment (PPE) to use and how to utilize them appropriately in the course of their duties.
  • Master techniques to move safely along ziplines.
  • Master concepts of nontechnical assistance for supporting participants.

  How to obtain level 1-T

  1. One day of theoretical and practical training (8 hours), followed by an evaluation:

  • Technical evaluation (GET), minimum passing mark: 70%

  2. Online theoretical exam at the end of the training session—15 multiple-choice questions:

  • Minimum passing mark: 70%

  3. Working alongside an operator who has successfully completed training and has at least one year of experience:

  • Direct—16 hours
  • Indirect—40 hours

  4. Requalification each new operating year:

  • Duration: Four practical hours (practical and theoretical exams to pass)
  • Technical evaluation (GET), minimum passing mark: 70%
  • Theoretical exam—fifteen multiple-choice questions, minimum passing mark: 70%
• b) Zipline rescuer (level 2-T)

  As well as fulfilling the duties of a patroller or operator, a rescuer is able to evacuate a participant and to climb and use intermediate rescue techniques on rope/cord in order to aid a participant having trouble on a zipline. This training only covers concepts relating to large ziplining sites. The training is also unique to each ziplining site due to the wide variety of installations and braking systems.

  Prerequisites, duration and validity of the training

  • Prior training: Operator
  • Minimum age: 18 years old
  • Duration of training: 8 hours
  • Valid for: 1 year

  Goals

  By the end of training, rescuers will have achieved the following goals:

  • Know and understand the risks inherent to this outdoor activity and to work situations.
  • Know the various pieces of personal protective equipment (PPE) to use and how to utilize them appropriately in the course of their duties.
  • Master the tying and usage of various knots.
  • Master techniques for moving and positioning.
  • Master concepts of technical assistance for supporting participants.
  • Master concepts for evacuating participants.

  How to obtain level 2-T

  1. One day of theoretical and practical training (8 hours), followed by an evaluation:

  • Technical evaluation (GET), minimum passing mark: 75%

  2. Online theoretical exam at the end of the training session—15 multiple-choice questions:

  • Minimum passing mark: 75%

  3. Working alongside a zipline rescuer who has successfully completed training and has at least one year of experience:

  • Direct—8 hours
  • Indirect—40 hours

  4. Requalification each new operating year:

  • Duration: 4 practical hours (practical and theoretical exams to be passed)
  • Technical evaluation (GET), minimum passing mark: 75%
  • Theoretical exam—fifteen multiple-choice questions, minimum passing mark: 75%
• Obtaining levels 1-T and 2-T simultaneously

  You may take both levels of training at the same time. The structure of such training is as follows:

  1. Evaluation after first day of training:

  • Technical evaluation (GET) for patrollers/operators, minimum passing mark: 70%
  • Online theoretical exam at the end of training—fifteen multiple-choice questions, minimum passing mark: 70%
  • Individuals who have failed at this stage may not continue to the next level.

  2. Evaluation after second day of training:

  • Technical evaluation (GET), minimum passing mark: 75%
  • Online theoretical exam at the end of training—fifteen multiple-choice questions, minimum passing mark: 75%

  3. Working alongside a zipline rescuer who has successfully completed training and has at least one year of experience:

  • Direct—16 hours
  • Indirect—40 hours

  4. Requalification each new operating year:

  • Consult the “Zipline operator” and “Zipline rescuer” sections above.

Treetop Courses: Descriptions of Levels of Training

• a) Treetop Course and Zipline Patroller (level 1-PAT)

  A patroller is an individual who moves along the ground and along treetop courses to supervise individuals crossing a treetop course. Patrollers are also able to instruct, evaluate and assist participants in the use of personal protective equipment (PPE) on treetop courses or ziplines.

  Prerequisites, duration and validity of the training

  • Prior training: None
  • Minimum age: 16 years old
  • Duration of training: 16 hours
  • Valid for: 1 year

  Goals

  By the end of training, patrollers will have achieved the following goals:

  • Know and understand the risks inherent to this outdoor activity and to work situations.
  • Know all the terms specific to their work environment.
  • Know the various pieces of personal protective equipment (PPE) to use and how to utilize them appropriately in the course of their duties.
  • Master techniques to move safely along the various relevant structures.
  • Master concepts of teaching and evaluating participants on treetop courses.
  • Master concepts of nontechnical assistance for supporting participants.

  How to obtain level 1-PAT

  1. Two days of theoretical and practical training (16 hours) followed by two evaluations:

  • Teaching evaluation (GEE), minimum passing mark: 100%
  • Technical evaluation (GET), minimum passing mark: 70%

  2. Online theoretical exam at the end of the training session—15 multiple-choice questions:

  • Minimum passing mark: 70%

  3. Working alongside a patroller who has successfully completed training and has at least one year of experience:

  • Direct—16 hours
  • Indirect—40 hours

  4. Requalification each new operating year:

  • Duration: 4 practical hours (practical and theoretical exams to be successfully completed)
  • Teaching evaluation (GEE), minimum passing mark: 100%
  • Technical evaluation (GET), minimum passing mark: 70%
  • Theoretical exam—fifteen multiple-choice questions, minimum passing mark: 70%
• b) Treetop Course and Zipline Rescuer (level 2-PAT)

  As well as fulfilling the duties of a patroller or operator, a rescuer is able to evacuate a participant and climb and use intermediate rescue techniques on rope/cord in order to aid a participant having trouble on a treetop course or zipline.

  Prerequisites, duration and validity of training

  • Prior training: Patroller and operator
  • Minimum age: 18 years old
  • Duration of training: 16 hours
  • Valid for: 1 year

  Goals

  By the end of the training, rescuers will have achieved the following goals:

  • Know and understand the risks inherent to this outdoor activity and to work situations.
  • Know the various pieces of personal protective equipment (PPE) to use and how to utilize them appropriately in the course of their duties.
  • Master the tying and usage of various knots.
  • Master techniques for moving and positioning.
  • Master concepts of technical assistance for supporting participants.
  • Master concepts for evacuating participants.

  How to obtain level 2-PAT

  1. Two days of theoretical and practical training (16 hours) followed by as evaluation:

  • Technical evaluation (GET), minimum passing mark:75%

  2. Online theoretical exam at the end of training—15 multiple-choice questions:

  • Minimum passing mark: 75%

  3. Working alongside a rescuer who has successfully completed training and has at least one year of experience:

  • Direct—16 hours
  • Indirect—40 hours

  4. Requalification each new operating year:

  • Duration: 8 practical hours (practical and theoretical exams to be successfully completed)
  • Technical evaluation (GET), minimum passing mark: 75%
  • Theoretical exam—fifteen multiple-choice questions, minimum passing mark: 70%
• Obtaining levels 1-PAT and 2-PAT simultaneously

  You may take both levels of training at the same time. The structure of such training is as follows:

  1. Evaluation after first two days of training:

  • Teaching evaluation (GEE) for patrollers, minimum passing mark: 100%
  • Technical evaluation (GET) for patrollers, minimum passing mark: 70%
  • Online theoretical exam at the end of the training session—15 multiple-choice questions, minimum passing mark: 70%
  • Individuals who have failed at this stage may not continue to the next level.

  2. Evaluation after four days of training:

  • Technical evaluation (GET), minimum passing mark: 75%
  • Online theoretical exam at the end of the training session—15 multiple-choice questions, minimum passing mark: 75%

  3. Working alongside a rescuer who has successfully completed training and has at least one year of experience:

  • Direct—16 hours
  • Indirect—40 hours

  4. Requalification each new operating year:

  • Consult the “Treetop Course and Zipline Patroller” and “Treetop Course and Zipline Rescuer” sections above.
• c) Treetop Course and Zipline Trainer (level 3-PAT)

  The trainer is able to impart, direct and evaluate the theoretical and technical knowledge of individuals applying for levels 1 and 2, PAT and T.

  Prerequisites, duration and validity of training

  • Prior training: PAT Rescuer (level 2-PAT)
  • Minimum age: 21 years old
  • Valid for: 1 year
  • Applicants must have perfect mastery of all level 1 and 2 technical and teaching skills (operator, patroller, and PAT rescuer).
  • Applicants must have at least three consecutive years of field experience as a PAT rescuer (resume required).
  • Pre-training preparation: it is compulsory to read the training manuals for the patroller, operator, PAT rescuer and trainer positions, as well as to watch explanatory videos.

  Goals

  By the end of the training course and internships, trainers will have achieved the following goals:

  • Be able to lead and manage a group of learners through practical and theoretical exercises.
  • Be able to evaluate and mitigate the risks inherent to technical exercises on treetop courses and ziplines.
  • Be able to evaluate learners’ teaching level and technical skills.
  • Master ALL the pieces of personal protective equipment (PPE) to use and how to utilize them appropriately in the course of their duties.
  • Master the tying and usage of ALL knots taught.
  • Master ALL techniques for moving and positioning.
  • Master ALL concepts of technical assistance for supporting participants.
  • Master ALL concepts for evacuating participants.

  Applying with an evaluator

  Before training, participants must submit an application to an evaluator for evaluation. Application fees may apply; please consult the price list. The application must include the following:

  • Three videos demonstrating PAT rescue techniques that the applicant uses frequently.
  • A cover letter explaining why the applicant wishes to undergo training to become a trainer and for which business the applicant plans to work as a (PAT and/or T) trainer.
  • The names of the trainer (internship 1) and evaluator (internship 2) who have confirmed supervision of said internships.

  Following the application’s submission:

  • Within one month of the application being submitted, the evaluator will respond with an acceptance or regret letter, then inform AEQ and the other evaluators.
  • In exceptional and related cases, AEQ and the evaluator will discuss, as appropriate, with the PAT-AEQ advisory board.

  How to obtain level 3-PAT

  1. Three-day training course:

  • Two days (16 hours) refreshing rescue techniques (evaluation of the 6 rescue manoeuvres).
  • One day (8 hours) of training on pedagogy, safety management, and evaluation.

  2. First internship:

  • Attending a complete PAT rescuer training course (16 hours) and teaching a minimum of 3 capsules during the training course, supervised by the trainer.

  3. Second internship:

  • Teach a complete PAT rescue training course (16 hours), supervised and evaluated by an evaluator.

  4. Requalification:

  • Before December 20 each year, each trainer must provide a list of training courses that they led during that year.
  • By January 31, AEQ will either renew the trainer’s attestation of training for one year or send the trainer a letter explaining the reasons for not renewing and the steps the trainer must follow to renew their attestation of training.
  • Teach at least one training course per year. Trainers who go two seasons without giving a training course will automatically lose their attestation of training and will have to retake the trainer training course. The number of internships required will be determined by the evaluator after the final evaluation of the training course.
  • Participate in the trainers’ meeting organized at the beginning of each year by AEQ and the evaluators—compulsory at the beginning of the year (March-April) and optional at the end of the year (September-October). In the event of an unmotivated and unannounced absence, AEQ will determine the measures to take to transmit the information and may go so far as to revoke the individual’s attestation of training. The annual meeting can be held in person or by videoconference.

  5. Ongoing evaluation, no final exam.

• d) Treetop Course and Zipline Evaluator (level 4-PAT)

  The evaluator possesses the skills approved and recognized by AEQ’s advisory board and is able to provide training for lower levels.

  Prerequisites, duration and validity of training

  • Prior training: Treetop Course and Zipline Trainer (level 3-PAT)
  • Minimum age: 21 years old
  • Valid for: 1 year
  • Must be a PAT trainer recognized by AEQ
  • Must have taught a minimum of ten PAT training courses over the last three years
  • Must be active in the field of treetop courses and ziplines

  Goals

  By the end of their training, the evaluator will have achieved the following goals:

  • All goals concerning the level of trainer (level 3-PAT).
  • Be able to lead and manage a group of learners through educational exercises.
  • Be able to evaluate learners’ educational level.

  How to obtain level 4-PAT

  1. Submit your application (resume and cover letter) to the evaluators.

  2. Undergo an interview with the evaluators (at least two evaluators must be present for the interview).

  3. Oversee and evaluate two PAT trainers and provide a report to the other evaluators.

  4. Requalification :

  • Keep your trainer attestation up to date.
  • Participate in one evaluation per year or demonstrate that you are active as a PAT trainer/evaluator and recognized as an expert in the field.
  • Participate in the trainers’ meeting organized at the beginning of each year by AEQ and the evaluators—compulsory at the beginning of the year (March-April) and optional at the end of the year (September-October). In the event of an unmotivated and unannounced absence, AEQ will determine the measures to take to transmit the information and may go so far as to revoke the individual’s attestation of training. The annual meeting can be held in person or via videoconference.

  5. Ongoing evaluation during training given alongside the evaluator, no final exam.

Registering for training

Frequently Asked Questions

• 1. Who can I contact for help registering or managing my online registration?

  For all questions, please contact your trainer.

• 2. I have successfully registered for training. What do I do now?

  You must complete your profile by adding your date of birth. See this tutorial (in French) for more information. Once it is completed, you will receive an email with further instructions.

Price List